FB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[seventiesraider]

Raider Recognition Rally was a good time with a great turnout especially considering the weather. Showcased was this year's highlight reel introduced by Harry Paidas and "the titles we didn't use"

The Rocky Pentello Horror Picture Show

or We Kmic'ed their butts again 8)

[K-Mack]

How could you not say that Ric...

Kmac offered be a proposition last night.  5-1 odds I get all of D3, he gets Mount Union.  I declined.

Picking Mount Union might be the smartest idea, but it certainly lacks uniqueness.  Those predictions are for entertainment purposes only...and of course we will be asking you again...but realistically...anyone who picked UWW could have easily picked MUC and felt very comfortable with that.  It should be noted my "official" full playoffs prediction had Mount/UWW with MUC winning and 53 total points...not bad.

I said this in our post game show...The only surprise about Mount Union is that they don't surprise you, and that you can never be surprised by anything they ever do.

I've picked against MUC all but once in my Stagg Bowl predictions, and when I didn't (2005) - I won.  But I don't find that too fun.

I rather just have a good time in Salem and enjoy the game and perhaps, be SURPRISED when someone jumps up and beats MUC.

When I was positive Mount was going to win...12 minutes before the game, Whitewater's assistant coaches came out of the locker room, grabbed their headsets and were practically coaching with no one on the field.  Mount's sideline was empty.  It remained that way until the teams came out...UWW's offense for the first 20 minutes played like the deer in headlights they were in 2005.

I know these are old, but now that I'm done YIR I can skim.

I back what Pat Cummings is saying here. I don't take the predictions very seriously, I bet I'm below .500 for the years we've been picking.

A betting man takes Mount Union.

A team player (and I mean for the D3 team) gives the readers something to talk about.

We're all team players, as at least one of us had to change his pick to Mount Union after seeing that more than half of us were going Whitewater.

LK is the man, no doubt. I'm sure I jocked him enough in YIR to make up for whatever I didn't do before the fact.

[K-Mack]

Anyone know where I can find Division III All Time Career Statistics/Records?

I tried to google it but came up empty.

Actually, this one will probably work better:

http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/football/football_records_book_d2_d3/2006_d2_d3_football_records.pdf

Uh-oh, my secrets are being revealed.

I once said that it's not so much that I know everything about D3 football, I just know where to look for what I don't know. Or who (Pat) to ask.

[cufan]

I found myself looking forward to next season than it hit me, MU was rebuilding last year and kicked everyone's A$$ and now they have everyone back...short lived excitement.

It will be interesting to see the preseason rankings.  My guess JCU will be everyone's Otterbein from last year, hopefully with better results.  It will help Cap with many new faces on offense to have most of the tough teams at home.

[HScoach]

I found myself looking forward to next season than it hit me, MU was rebuilding last year and kicked everyone's A$$ and now they have everyone back...short lived excitement.

Funny.  But true.


My question for Cap is what positions are they going to fill with transfers, or do they have the depth to fill within?  Howes was a short term fix.  Alexander too.  Is the hole a RB the next spot to fix?  My guess is yes as they need a running game very badly.  Especially with braking in a new QB.

My way too early prediction without any research is:
1.  MUC
2.  JCU
3.  Capital
4.  ONU
5.  BW
6.  Otterbein
7.  Marietta
8.  Musky
9. Wilma
10.  Berg

With the top 5 being head and shoulders above the bottom 5.  #1 is obvious, but 2 thru 5 could easily flip spots. 

[kcreds]

Okay even though no one gave a prediction on the Marietta vs. St. John game, I will comment on hscoach's preseason poll. I'm not disputing it, based on my knowledge of the conference I couldn't. I just want to comment on the fact that Marietta beat BW last year at home. I can only conclude that BW is head and shoulders better than Marietta because Marietta lost some key players, BW was rebuilding last year, and the game will be at BW. Otherwise I do not see BW head and shoulders above Marietta, especially after some very good transfers came to Marietta. I know its just preseason talk but I felt the need to respond and back my Pios. Go Pioneers!

[JK]

The rest of the OAC will be interesting.  Cap should be to the point where they can reload, although losing Rocky and two of the Hauslers, you would expect a little fall off.  BW appears to be back to what they have historically been and should be strong again, and JCU is presumably back to being JCU. ONU certainly has all the pieces to continue their success.  Otterbein fell off a bit this year after a really good 7-3 in 2005, but they should continue to improve.  I think losing Vrable will impact Etta a bunch and expect them to backslide a bit next year.  Wilma actually showed some signs of life this year and I think they will continue to improve.  I think the Berg made a great choice of HC's with Hallett, and although he might not turn them around overnight, they should at least be more competitive next year.  Musky is a big question mark with a new coach, but those of us who have been following the OAC for a decade or more know that they are capable of achieving some success as well.  My early 2007 prediction for the OAC:

1) MUC
2) BW
3) ONU
4) Cap
5) JCU
6) OTT
7) Wilma
8. ) Etta
9) Heidleberg
10) Musky

Over the last few years the OAC has been MUC and one or two teams that were legit contenders.  In the best years, maybe the top FOUR in the OAC were among the top 50 in the Nation.  Next year the top SIX might all have legitimate playoff aspirations, and all six might be among the top 50 or so teams in D3.  Next year, although MUC will certainly be the class of the league again with what they have coming back from another title team, it might be the year the OAC unseats the WIAC as the best conference in D3 (although we all have thought that for years anyway!)

To add to hscoach's discussion, this is what I posted after the Stagg Bowl.  My knowledge of the OAC isn't nearly as good as his, but I think my prediction compares pretty favorably to his.  Of course I picked MUC to win the OAC again, and discussion about them was in a paragraph at the beginning of the post I deleted for brevity's sake (somewhat).  MUC is MUC, they are loaded again, and have a lot of talent coming back from another title, so they were a no-brainer at the top.  You can now go to the top of my post to see my thoughts on the rest.

[e_lee]

Capital's 2006 Highlight Video

http://www.capital.edu/internet/default.aspx?pid=295

Hopefully it will end up on youtube so that I can post it on my MySpace.

[kcreds]

Sorry I failed to mention the fact that Marietta beat ONU at ONU and did not give up a touchdown. 2 All-Americans back on D, an intuitive coach, and formidable transfers equals to me a competitive team with anyone other than possibly Capital and MUC. They may finish 7th or 8th but I don't share in the opinion that they cannot compete with the top 5. 

[HScoach]

kcreds,

Regardless of where Marietta ends up in 2007, I'm just glad someone on Post Patterns is sticking up for the Pioneers.  Good to have you aboard and keep up the good fight!

[reality check]

I really think BW is the best choice for a #2 seed based on what they lose and return from last year.  I agree it's a crapshoot for 2-5 but I would put the rotten bananas at the top of the contender list.  ONU needs Meadows to be big coming off his injury and I'm not sold on the Assman era starting off fast in Bexley. 

BW flew under the radar for much of last season and while they lose Anders in the backfield, I'm pretty sure they have a lot returning.

[section13raiderfan]

I see JK is picking Heidelberg dead last in the OAC next year. Since they have a MUC grad at coach now in Mr. Hallett, does anybody think he can turn it around there any time soon?  If you think it makes no difference to have a MUC grad in charge, you might be right. But it worked once for Ohio Northern and Dean Paul. Best guess anybody, how long to see results from the Berg coaching change? If Hallett can turn it around then how long till the OAC teams all hire an ex Raider to coach? If Hallett can win 6 games does he qualify for coach of the year honors? The trophy in that case should be the rudder from a battleship. Those things turn large things around too, eventually, given enough time and space to do it.

LK and Joe Tait.... no shows for the recognition night festivities! Oh My!  I missed them but it was still a good evening anyways.  

[JK]

Oh no, hscoach picked Heidi last.  I put Musky last.  Let's give credit where credit is due 

[JK]

elee,

thanks for the link to the video.  That is awesome.  It fires me up every time I see it, and I have watched it three times already!

I know they lost the game and all, but K. Hausler's stop of Kmic in the playoff game at the goal line going over the top to meet him in midair is one of the best individual plays I have seen in a while.

[reality check]

If Hallett wins 6 games, he's a no-brainer for coach of the year and should at least get votes nationally as COTY. 

But that's not going to happen.